Sonam Tsering says, "We wanted to produce a tape because normally I compose songs, get the melody and the only people who hear it are in the same room as us. Because this is our first music it should be some religious music so we can show people how interested we are in religious and traditional songs.
We need to preserve the culture of the Spiti Valley. This is the beginning and we would like to start with some traditional instruments. We would like to continue and begin to compose modern Spiti songs as well."
Sonam, Phuntsok, Yashe and Kedar are all friends from the Spiti village of Tabo. Sonam owns the popular Kunzum Top restaurant in the centre of Tabo village and has been a trekking guide and social worker. Phuntsok is a trekking guide and driver. Yashe is a construction contractor from Kinnaur. Kedar is from Kinnaur.
Sonam and his friends Phuntsok, Detchen, Tashi, Palden and Shichit Namgin and Shichit Tsering and Lobsang Yeshi and many youths in Tabo are now working to establish a local music initiative to preserve the traditional music of the Spiti Valley to ensure they continue to enrich the lives of young Spitians and other music fans around the world.
For more information on the music on this album and the local music initiative please contact sonam_nadaan@yahoo.co.in or write to:
Sonam c/o Kunzum Top Restaurant
V.P.O. Tabo
District Lahaul and Spiti (HP)
172113 India
The inspiration for this album came from time spent in the Spiti Valley thanks to the team at Yak Trak Tours. To see the Spiti Valley for yourself, contact Yak Trak Tours at www.yaktrak.com
Track Name: 02 Sangey Ho ("His Holiness the Dalai Llama")
Hey Buddha, Hey Buddha, in Tabo the Buddha has come. In Tabo Tenzing Gyeltso has come.
Om mane padme hom. Om benza guru pema sidi hom.
Tenzing Gyeltso went back and all the Spiti people they were crying.
Tears come out from their eyes. Om mane padme hom. Om benza guru pema sidi hom.
Hey Buddha, Hey Buddha, we friends did a prayer.
Tenzing Gyeltso please come again and again.
Hey Buddha, Hey Buddha, we friends did a prayer.
Tenzing Gyeltso please come again and again.
Om mane padme hom. Om benza guru pema sidi hom.
Hey Tenzing Gyeltso, please leave us a blessing.
Track Name: 01 Sangey ("Buddha")
The Buddha travelled the world and gave teachings to all humanity.
You were born in this world like a sun rising in the East.
In a holy place you were born.
You left your whole kingdom and Buddha you went for the dharma.
You left your parents and children and you went for the dharma.
Only because of you Buddha all your dharma spread in the world.
Track Name: 03 For Serkong Rinpoche
Spiti is a great holy place and the people are very fortunate. The Llama reborn here Serkong Rinpoche you were born in the Spiti Valley. Serkong Rinpoche you were born in a holy place - Latap (Lari, Tabo, Pooh.) Spiti is a great holy land and the people are very fortunate and Tabo is a great monastery and this great monastery is situated in this holy Spiti Valley. The great monastery is situated in my Latap. Spiti is a great holy place and the people are very fortunate. The parents of the Serkong Rinpoche are very fortunate. Serkong Rinpoche your parents are very fortunate. Spiti is a great holy place and the people are very fortunate. Serkong Rinpoche, you are a great religious man. Serkong Rinpoche, you live in everybody's heart. Serkong Rinpoche you live in we three friends hearts. The great Serkong Rinpoche's residence, the great monastery Tabo, is his beautiful residence. Spiti is a great holy place and the people are very fortunate. All the people come to visit him, the great Serkong Rinpoche.
Track Name: 04 Geshe Sonam Wangdue
Geshe Sonam Wangdue he came to Spiti Valley like a god.
Geshe Sonam Wangdue, because of you, Tabo will be famous all over the world.
Geshe Sonam Wangdue, because of you, His Holiness came to Tabo.
Geshe Sonam Wangdue, in his next life, we pray that he is reborn in Tabo or reborn in Spiti.
Geshe Sonam Wangdue, please give a blessing to the four of us. Please give a blessing to the four of us.
And Geshe Sonam Wangdue we really pray to you, putting together our hands and putting our knees on the ground.